•Festus Keyamo
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has presented the 2026 budget proposal of about ₦184.4 billion to the joint National Assembly committee on aviation.
The minister, during the budget presentation, stated that the 2026 budget proposal was strategically designed to modernise safety systems, upgrade digital infrastructure, and strengthen human capacity development across the aviation ecosystem, reports The Guardian.
He noted that the ministry remains focused on enhancing operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and service delivery in line with global best practices.
Highlighting achievements recorded in the 2025 fiscal year despite funding constraints, the minister disclosed that the Federal Government successfully cleared outstanding debts owed to foreign airlines.
He also listed other significant milestones, including Nigeria’s compliance with the Cape Town Convention, the reopening of direct flight operations to the United Arab Emirates, the commencement of direct Abuja–Heathrow operations by a local airline to enhance competition and reduce fares, and the establishment of a national aircraft leasing company to support domestic operators.
Keyamo further briefed the committees on the recent fire outbreak at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, which destroyed critical equipment belonging to some aviation agencies.
He appealed to the National Assembly to support the affected agencies in replacing the damaged equipment, noting that the incident resulted in significant operational losses within the sector.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Buhari Abdulfatai, emphasised that public funds must be judiciously managed, stressing that it is the constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly to appropriate funds and ensure transparency and accountability.
He urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to prioritise the completion of ongoing projects and avoid project abandonment.
Senator Abdulfatai further encouraged the Minister to sustain the cordial relationship between the Ministry and the Committee and ensure that the 2026 budget proposal achieves its intended objectives.
Similarly, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Festus Olanrewaju, advised that the budget implementation should remain people-oriented, promote infrastructural development, and contribute meaningfully to national economic growth.
Present at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Yakubu Adam Kofarmata, Directors of the Ministry, and Heads of aviation agencies.
